New eye-tracking research has shown that simply looking at natural elements during urban walks can offer significant mental health benefits.
The study, carried out by Bangor University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, published in the scientific journal People and natureinvolved city dwellers and showed how paying visual attention to vegetation, rather than man-made structures, can alleviate anxiety and enhance restorative feelings.
The 117 urban residents who participated in the study were guided on a 45-minute urban walk, while wearing eye-tracking glasses. They were instructed to focus their gaze on trees, plants, grasses and flowers, man-made structures, or a combination of both. This unique methodology revealed that participants’ focus on nature was associated with improvements in several mental health metrics, including anxiety levels and feelings of restoration.
Dr. Whitney Fleming, Professor of Human Geography at Bangor University, explained the findings and said:
“We found that individuals who were guided to direct their gaze more frequently toward green elements reported a significant reduction in anxiety, with trees showing the most substantial positive effect.”
“The study highlights a strong link between observing green elements, especially trees, and an increase in perceived restorativeness, suggesting that even brief interactions with nature can provide mental health benefits.”
Implications of urban design
These insights offer valuable guidance for architects and urban planners, suggesting that integrating more natural features into urban landscapes can play a crucial role in improving the mental well-being of residents. The Nature Gaze study supports the idea of urban environments that promote engagement with nature, highlighting a simple but effective strategy to improve urban mental health.